This page is a compendium of items of interest - news stories, scurrilous rumors, links, academic papers, damnable prevarications, rants and amusing anecdotes - about LAUSD and/or public education that didn't - or haven't yet - made it into the "real" 4LAKids blog and weekly e-newsletter at http://www.4LAKids.blogspot.com . 4LAKidsNews will be updated at arbitrary random intervals.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL TO HOUSE TRUANCY CENTER: One of eight new Attendance Improvement Centers in LAUSD + LAUSD News Release

10/25/2010 08:35:42 AM PDT - SAN PEDRO :: San Pedro High School will house one of eight new truancy intervention centers being set up by the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The so-called Attendance Improvement Centers are set to open Nov. 1.

Instead of getting a citation for skipping school, students will be taken to the centers, where they will be provided grade-level instruction while they wait for parent pickup.

"The district is working on expanding educational options for students that do not fit the typical protocol of a student," said LAUSD Chief Academic Officer Judy Elliott in a press release. "The AIC is but one way to provide a multipronged approach to keeping students in schools and off the streets."

Referrals to community resources and services and other assistance will be provided for students or parents who are facing problems related to truancy, the district said.

The centers will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. They are a collaboration between the school district, local law enforcement agencies, the courts and the community.

LAUSD Announces Opening of Attendance Improvement Centers

The eight centers will serve as an alternative to truancy citations issued for curfew violations

October 22, 2010 - Los Angeles—The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is investing in a deterrent/intervention program for truants with the opening of eight new Attendance Improvement Centers (AIC) across the District beginning November 1. These centers will serve as an alternative to truancy citations that are issued for daytime curfew violations.

“We are thrilled to be offering an alternative to truancy and citations for our LAUSD youth. The Attendance Improvement Centers (AICs) are places where we intend to get students back on track by providing options to truancy and drop out,” said Dr. Judy Elliott, LAUSD’s Chief Academic Officer.

“The District is working on expanding educational options for students that do not fit the typical protocol of a student. We have increased our use of technology and online courses for credit recoupment and acceleration. The AIC is but one way to provide a multi-pronged approach to keeping students in schools and off the streets. Our goal is 100 percent graduation. To that end, we must create the options our students need,” she added.

Under the Los Angeles Municipal Code (45.04), juveniles are prohibited from loitering during the hours of the day when school, which the minor would normally attend, is in session, on days when that school is in session. Additionally, California’s Compulsory Education Law (EC section 48200) requires that every child between the ages of 6-18 years old must attend school every day and on time.

LAUSD officials believe the AICs will not only provide a service to the District’s neediest students by preventing them from becoming victims or perpetrators of crimes, but help them on their path to becoming productive members of society.

Currently, school truancy is one of several patterns of behavior known to increase the likelihood of delinquency. Youth who do not attend school are more likely to become involved with drugs, alcohol, gangs and violence than youth who attend school. Truancy can cause students to fall behind in school, which can lead them to dropout. Dropouts have higher rates of incarceration and addiction, lower-paying jobs and a greater tendency for unemployment over their lifetime.

The Attendance Improvement Centers also provide truant students with a safe educational program during the school day while they await parent pick up. While at the AICs, students

will receive instruction and are required to complete grade-level work assigned to them.

Students held at the AICs must exhibit appropriate behavior in the AIC classroom. The objective is to teach students to assume responsibility for their actions, to learn to exercise self-control, and to provide them with an intervention that can guide them towards success.

The AICs will be located on the campuses of:

Sepulveda MS (Local District 2)

Belmont SH (Local District 4)

Burbank MS (Local District 4)

Santee Education Complex (Local District 5)

El Sereno MS (Local District 5)

Gage MS (Local District 6)

Washington Preparatory SH (Local District 8)

San Pedro SH (Local District 8)

During the school year, the Attendance Improvement Centers will be open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Attendance Improvement Centers are a collaborative effort involving the LAUSD, local law enforcement agencies, the courts, and the community. The centers’ goals are to ensure an education for every child, improve attendance, reduce juvenile crimes, and increase parent involvement and accountability. Assistance will be provided to students/parents who may be experiencing problems or issues related to truancy. Referrals to resources and services in the community will be provided so families can seek additional help.

To learn more about the Attendance Improvement Centers, please call (213) 241-3844.